“Cheng Xiaobei, you’ve been dawdling for almost an hour now. Are you ready yet or not? I went through so much trouble to get you an invitation to Young Master Zhao’s birthday party, and if you keep dragging your feet and end up making a bad impression, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself when you regret it!”

The impatient voice of a young woman and the sound of approaching high heels reached Tian Tian’s ears.

Opening her eyes, Tian Tian looked around at the 21st-century-style room, confirming that she had entered her next mission.

Having lived a lifetime of happiness and stability with Xu Mu, Tian Tian felt content and at peace, with no lingering regrets. Some people and things are best left as memories; life is about looking forward.

This time, Tian Tian had taken over the body of a girl named Cheng Xiaobei. Twenty-one years old, she was a junior at a prestigious university in City D. While the school was usually reserved for the wealthy, Cheng Xiaobei came from an ordinary background but earned her place through hard work, scoring in the top ten of the citywide entrance exams.

“Hey, Cheng Xiaobei! I’m talking to you. Why aren’t you answering me?” The young woman stormed up to her, the scent of perfume preceding her arrival.

Tian Tian stood in front of the wardrobe and turned her head to look at her, replying casually, “I was focused on picking an outfit. Sorry about that.”

She studied the girl before her: Zhang Xue, her roommate. A local of City D, Zhang Xue’s family was in the cold chain logistics business and quite wealthy. She was also twenty-one years old, around 5’3”, with a balanced figure. Her face, however, bore obvious signs of plastic surgery. She wore a white high-end designer outfit, her chestnut-brown curls draping over her shoulders, and ten-centimeter-high heels on her feet. She could barely be called a beauty.

From her memories, Tian Tian knew Zhang Xue was dissatisfied with her looks and had undergone at least five cosmetic procedures.

Zhang Xue frowned. “Didn’t we already pick something earlier? Young Master Zhao likes bold and sexy women. The more daring your outfit, the better your chances of catching his eye. Hurry up and put on that red hot-girl dress. If you’re late and ruin his mood, you’ll regret it!”

“Xuexue, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll go after all,” Tian Tian replied gravely. “My mom just called. She told me they sent me another 3,000 yuan and reminded me to study hard. To someone rich, 3,000 yuan might not even cover a makeup set, but for my parents, it’s a lot. Listening to their kind words, I thought about the things I’ve been doing at school and felt really guilty.

“Xuexue, my parents worked so hard to send me to this university so I could succeed, not to chase after some rich heir. Besides, Young Master Zhao is someone from a world far beyond mine. Even if he notices me, what’s the point? Our family backgrounds are worlds apart. It wouldn’t lead anywhere. I think it’s better if I focus on my studies.”

Tian Tian disliked parties like these and had no intention of using such tactics to land a rich boyfriend. She believed a girl should rely on her own hard work to build a good life. Shortcuts never led to good outcomes.

Zhang Xue’s face darkened, a mix of anger and disdain. “Cheng Xiaobei, you’d better think carefully about this. I pulled strings to get you that invitation. Now you’re backing out? Are you playing games with me?”

Tian Tian explained, “Xuexue, I’m not trying to mess with you. I really do appreciate your help, but I’ve truly thought it through. Someone like me is better off focusing on school. Other things are too far out of reach for me.”

“Fine, do whatever you want. Don’t come asking me for favors again,” Zhang Xue snapped, grabbing her bag and storming off.

Tian Tian watched her leave without chasing after her. The original owner of this body had gone out of her way to flatter Zhang Xue, essentially acting like her lackey. Zhang Xue, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy family, often spoke arrogantly and bossed the original owner around. The latter tolerated it because she hoped to get closer to Young Master Zhao.

The original Cheng Xiaobei had started as a studious top achiever who loved learning and worked hard. But over time, money and luxury clouded her judgment. Living with Zhang Xue in the same dorm, she grew envious of Zhang’s lavish lifestyle. Eventually, her ambitions skewed, and she decided to take shortcuts by leveraging her good looks to land a wealthy boyfriend.

Zhao Zhicheng, the school’s most popular figure, came from an extraordinarily wealthy family. He was a notorious playboy, and no matter how hard the original Cheng Xiaobei tried, she could never get close to him.

Eventually, she sought Zhang Xue’s help, buttering her up until Zhang secured her an invitation to Zhao’s birthday party.

Alone in the dorm, Tian Tian stood in front of the mirror to examine her new appearance.

It wasn’t hard to see why the original owner had the audacity to pursue a rich heir—her looks were a definite advantage. She had a heart-shaped face, exquisite features, and fair skin. Her figure was model-like, standing about 5’7” with curves in all the right places.

Without a doubt, she could be considered the school’s top beauty. However, her ordinary family background meant she couldn’t afford nice clothes or beauty products. She didn’t know how to present herself either. Tonight, though, she’d made an exception. Desperate to impress, she had begged Zhang Xue to help her with makeup, which explained her stunning appearance.

Without makeup or fancy clothes, she was still attractive but lacked the dazzling impact needed to catch the eye of someone like Zhao Zhicheng, who was used to being surrounded by beautiful women.

After tidying up the scattered makeup products on the desk, a melodic ringtone interrupted her thoughts. Tian Tian searched for the source of the sound and found the phone in a small red purse. She opened it and answered the call, which turned out to be a real estate sales pitch. Declining politely, she hung up and went to put the phone back.

But as she placed it inside the purse, her expression darkened. Among the items inside—lipstick, tissues—she found three small square packets of condoms.

Tian Tian was speechless. The original owner had clearly been prepared to go all out to snag a rich boyfriend. While such things were common in modern relationships, bringing them to a birthday party for someone she barely knew was a bit much.

In the original timeline, this night had indeed changed her life. Zhao Zhicheng noticed her at the party, and they dated briefly before he grew bored and dumped her after three months.

Unwilling to let things end, Cheng Xiaobei staged a dramatic scene at a bar where she pretended to save Zhao from two thugs she’d hired. Touched by her “selflessness,” Zhao fell for her and even insisted on marrying her.

Her dream of becoming a rich wife seemed within reach until a drunken mistake at a banquet led to her sleeping with Zhao’s illegitimate brother, Zhao Yi. Caught in the act the next day, she became the subject of city-wide gossip.

Unable to marry Zhao Zhicheng, she settled for Zhao Yi, who had by then risen to become vice president of Zhao Group with a fortune worth billions.

Though Zhao Yi’s motives for marrying her were fueled by revenge against Zhao Zhicheng, Cheng Xiaobei accepted the situation to cling to her dream of wealth and status.

This time, Tian Tian’s mission target was none other than Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi had endured a tragic upbringing, from being abandoned as a child to facing abuse and neglect. Life had hardened him into a ruthless, vengeful man—a true force to be reckoned with.

In the original owner’s memory, as Zhao Yi grew older, Zhao Zhicheng developed a drug addiction, and Zhao Haifeng mysteriously passed away. Zhao Yi firmly took control of Zhao Corporation. Upon becoming CEO, he unleashed ruthless revenge on Zhao Zhicheng’s loyal senior executives, showing no mercy. His methods were so aggressive that several high-ranking executives were driven to their deaths.

Zhao Yi’s intelligence was equally terrifying. Each death was carefully orchestrated, leaving no traceable evidence behind. At most, Zhao Corporation compensated the families with token pensions under the guise of corporate responsibility.

Zhao Yi’s cold-hearted tactics led to the mass departure of senior executives, destabilizing the corporation. Thousands of employees were laid off or forced to resign during a period of severe economic strain. Families struggled to make ends meet, unable to pay rent or utility bills, support their elderly relatives, or cover car and mortgage payments. Marriages crumbled under the stress, and some people even chose to end their own lives.

After marrying Zhao Yi, the original owner lived an extremely unhappy life. He treated her with disdain, rarely came home, and refused to touch her, treating her as though she were contaminated. Her life resembled that of a widow, and, worst of all, Zhao Yi was notoriously stingy. On the surface, she appeared to be a glamorous society wife, but inside, she was no more than a hollow shell.

She once asked for a divorce, but Zhao Yi refused. His ruthless nature made her suspect that the Zhao family’s tragedies were his doing. She had even witnessed Zhao Yi pulling the oxygen tube from Zhao Haifeng’s life support in the hospital. When Zhao Yi noticed her, he didn’t harm her but issued a chilling warning. Terrified, she didn’t dare report him to the police.

The original owner knew that reporting him wouldn’t help. If Zhao Yi dared to do such a thing, he had certainly covered his tracks. Surveillance footage was likely destroyed, and her testimony alone would be insufficient. With his wealth and power, he could easily resolve the matter, but she would undoubtedly face retribution.

Zhao Yi’s methods were enough to make her fear for her life, leaving her unable to insist on a divorce. She feared that if she pushed him too far, she wouldn’t even know how she died.

A few years later, the original owner succumbed to depression and passed away.

Zhao Yi’s grim and vindictive nature hurt countless people directly or indirectly. Left unchecked, the consequences would grow ever more severe. Out of compassion for all beings, the Bodhisattva sent Tian Tian to help Zhao Yi reform his ways.

Tian Tian sighed deeply. If Zhao Yi could pull out his own father’s oxygen tube, what wouldn’t he do?

After tidying the room, Tian Tian took a shower and went to bed. Currently a junior in university, Zhao Yi was in the same grade. At this point, he was still a powerless student being bullied by his elder brother, Zhao Zhicheng. Tian Tian needed to think carefully about how to complete her mission.

That night, Zhang Xue didn’t return from the birthday party, leaving Tian Tian alone in the dorm.

The next morning, Tian Tian donned her school uniform and applied light makeup. Standing in front of the mirror, she observed her reflection. The uniform consisted of a blue jacket paired with matching trousers. While it wasn’t particularly flattering, her excellent figure elevated the look. The light makeup enhanced her delicate features, and she tied her chestnut-colored curls into a high ponytail, creating a fresh and radiant appearance.

Her natural confidence and aura elevated her original beauty, transforming her from a seven to a dazzling twelve.

Tian Tian left early, strolling leisurely along the school’s tree-lined avenue. The campus was beautifully landscaped, and the fresh morning air lifted her spirits.

“Hey, isn’t that Cheng Xiaobei with the ponytail?”

“Yeah, it looks like her.”

“She looks way prettier today, doesn’t she?”

“I agree. Maybe it’s because her hair’s tied up?”

Tian Tian’s presence drew plenty of attention, but she was used to it and remained lost in thought. Her mind focused on how to approach Zhao Yi. To complete her mission, she needed to gain his trust and become his friend. Without that foundation, she couldn’t even begin to change him.

As she passed by the bike racks, she noticed a group of students standing around an older bicycle. Since they surrounded it, she couldn’t clearly see what they were doing.

Something about the bike looked familiar. After a moment, it clicked—it was Zhao Yi’s. She recalled from the original owner’s memories that in an effort to impress Zhao Zhicheng, she had once smeared glue all over Zhao Yi’s bike.

Everyone at school knew Zhao Zhicheng despised his illegitimate brother and often went out of his way to torment him. Many students, eager to curry favor with Zhao Zhicheng, joined in bullying Zhao Yi. The Zhao family’s indifference and the stigma of being a “bastard” only worsened his isolation.

The original owner, desperate for Zhao Zhicheng’s attention, had participated in the bullying, doing increasingly cruel things to Zhao Yi.

Tian Tian considered stepping forward to intervene, but the group finished their mischief and left, laughing among themselves.

She hesitated. She didn’t know what they had done to the bike, and it was possible they were simply loitering. She couldn’t jump to conclusions.

Approaching the bicycle, Tian Tian quickly realized her mistake. The bike’s chain had been completely removed, rendering it unusable. She sighed. Once again, she had given people too much benefit of the doubt.

From the corner of her eye, Tian Tian spotted Zhao Yi approaching from the dormitory. He immediately noticed her standing by his bike. His expression didn’t change, but his dark eyes flashed briefly with anger before it vanished, leaving his face unreadable.

Zhao Yi brushed past her, setting his bag down and inspecting the damage. Seeing the broken chain, he silently began repairing it with practiced ease.

Tian Tian’s gaze naturally fell on him. Dressed in the same blue school uniform, his simple buzz cut accentuated his height, which must have been at least 6’1”. Squatting to fix his bike, his long legs seemed almost too long to fold properly.

The soft morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow on his pale skin. His features were sharp and refined, like a sculpture come to life. From her angle, Tian Tian could see his chiseled profile, long lashes, emotionless dark eyes, and thin, lightly pressed lips. He looked like a character straight out of a manga—clean, strikingly handsome, and exuding a quiet, magnetic presence even as he focused on the mundane task of repairing his bike.

Tian Tian broke the silence. “I noticed a group hanging around your bike earlier. I got curious and came over. When I saw the chain, I realized it was yours…” She pointed to the damaged chain. “It looks pretty bad. Are you heading somewhere? If you want, I can lend you my bike.”

Zhao Yi didn’t respond, continuing to work on his bike.

Tian Tian added, “My bike’s parked by the dorm. I can go grab it for you.”

As she turned to leave, Zhao Yi’s cool voice stopped her. “No need. It’s fixed.” His tone was distant and indifferent.

Turning back, Tian Tian saw him stand and pull a tissue from his bag to wipe his hands.

Zhao Yi didn’t even spare her a glance, his demeanor detached. He found her behavior odd today, but in his mind, she was just the same annoying, shallow girl she had always been.

Tian Tian took a deep breath and sincerely apologized. “Zhao Yi, I’m sorry. I’ve done a lot of wrong things to you before. I realize now how awful I was. I promise it won’t happen again. I hope you can forgive me for my past behavior.”

The original owner’s actions had been cruel and petty—sabotaging his bike with glue, stuffing mud into his desk, swapping his water with vinegar, and countless other humiliations.

It was no surprise that Zhao Yi despised her after they got married, treating her with icy disdain. His decision to marry her was purely to spite Zhao Zhicheng, and he saw their marriage as nothing more than a tool for revenge.

Zhao Yi might appear harmless on the surface, but his heart was dark, vengeful, and unforgiving. Once someone crossed him, there was no escaping his wrath.

Tian Tian’s apology was sincere. The original owner had indeed been wrong—she shouldn’t have inflicted pain on someone else just to please others.

Now, Tian Tian had fully embraced her identity as Cheng Xiaobei. To get closer to Zhao Yi, her first step had to be a genuine apology.

Zhao Yi’s gaze lingered on her, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But when he met her earnest, serious eyes, he was momentarily stunned—she didn’t seem to be joking.

Tian Tian continued, “I never had any personal grudge against you. I acted that way because I wanted to curry favor with Zhao Dashao. But now I’ve come to my senses. Zhao Dashao and I are from completely different worlds. Even if we crossed paths, it wouldn’t amount to anything. Instead of wasting time on something pointless, I should focus on my studies, graduate, and work hard to make a decent living.”

Zhao Yi gave a nonchalant “hmm” and rode off on his bike.

Tian Tian wasn’t sure what that “hmm” meant, but at least she had taken the first step. The rest would require more effort.

Back in the classroom, with some free time on her hands, Tian Tian pulled out her textbooks and began reviewing. She had attended college before, majoring in cosmetics, but this school focused on business—a completely different field. She needed to catch up quickly.

The original owner’s academic performance had fallen apart. Though she had excelled when she first entered this prestigious school, her mindset shifted, and she became preoccupied with rich men, causing her grades to plummet.

The next day, Tian Tian woke up early again, going for a morning jog to strengthen her body. After about half an hour, she returned to the dorm to freshen up and then headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.

While walking with her breakfast, she happened to run into Zhao Yi, who was also carrying his breakfast.

“Hey, what a coincidence!” Tian Tian greeted him warmly as she walked over.

Zhao Yi, surprised by her enthusiasm, glanced at her briefly before nodding in acknowledgment.

At that moment, a group of students rushed past Zhao Yi, and one of them “accidentally” bumped into him. Zhao Yi’s breakfast fell to the ground with a splat, the soy milk spilling everywhere.

“Oh no, I didn’t mean to!” The student gave a mock apology and ran off with a smirk.

Although the words suggested innocence, it was clear to everyone that it had been deliberate. Because of Zhao Zhicheng, Zhao Yi was regularly bullied at school. The teachers were vaguely aware of the situation, but since Zhao Yi’s family didn’t intervene, they didn’t dare meddle either.

The Zhao family was obscenely wealthy, and Zhao Zhicheng was their heir. No one wanted to cross the “crown prince.”

Zhao Yi, accustomed to daily provocations, remained impassive. He calmly crouched down, collected the ruined breakfast, and tossed it into a nearby trash can.

Tian Tian watched his every move. He seemed unaffected, but she knew better. In the previous life, after Zhao Yi took control of the Zhao Corporation, he had demolished this very school. The students who had bullied him and the teachers who had turned a blind eye all met miserable ends.

Thinking about it sent chills down Tian Tian’s spine. If it weren’t for her mission, she would have kept as far away from someone as vengeful as Zhao Yi. He was terrifying—once offended, there was no escape. The original owner’s tragic fate was proof enough. Despite Zhao Zhicheng’s downfall, Zhao Yi refused to divorce her, ultimately driving her to depression and death.

Tian Tian walked over and handed Zhao Yi her milk. “Zhao Yi, your breakfast is ruined. Take this milk instead.”

It was almost time for class, and going back to the cafeteria wasn’t realistic. Besides, Tian Tian also saw this as an opportunity to earn some goodwill.

Zhao Yi stared at her for three seconds before taking the milk. “Thanks.”

Tian Tian’s face lit up. “You’re welcome!”

“I have things to do. See you.” Zhao Yi quickened his pace and left with the milk.

“Alright,” Tian Tian replied cheerfully, continuing at her own pace.

However, as she watched Zhao Yi walk further ahead, she noticed him veer toward a trash can. Without hesitation, he tossed her milk into it.

Tian Tian’s expression darkened instantly. She had thought their relationship was improving, but this gesture made it clear that Zhao Yi still viewed her no differently than anyone else.

Frustrated, Tian Tian sighed.

As soon as she sat down in class, the girl next to her leaned over to chat. “Xiaobei, you’ve been hanging out with Zhao Yi a lot these past two days, haven’t you?”

The girl, Chu Qiao, wasn’t particularly close to the original owner. They occasionally exchanged a few words since their seats were nearby.

Most students at this school came from affluent families. The original owner’s modest background and transparent attempts to climb the social ladder didn’t win her many friends among the wealthy heirs.

“Huh? Have I?” Tian Tian asked, puzzled. She had barely spoken to Zhao Yi—how could they say she was “hanging out” with him? She wished she were closer to him, but he clearly wasn’t interested.

“Yeah! Lots of people in class were gossiping about you two earlier. They were saying it like it was some big deal. Weren’t you walking together with him this morning, both carrying breakfast?”

“We just happened to run into each other and said hello, that’s all,” Tian Tian explained, exasperated. Gossip seemed inevitable no matter where she went.

“Are you sure that’s all? I heard you gave him milk, too.”

Tian Tian sighed. The news spread fast.

“It was just a bottle of milk. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Chu Qiao leaned in conspiratorially. “By the way, is it true you skipped Zhao Dashao’s birthday party the other night?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling well,” Tian Tian replied, not wanting to elaborate.

“You’re not trying to switch targets, are you? From Zhao Dashao to Zhao Yi? Let me remind you, Zhao Yi is just a bastard child. With how little Zhao Dong treats him, even if he gets a share of the inheritance, it won’t be much. Think carefully before you act.”

Tian Tian’s face darkened at the insinuation. “What nonsense is this?”

Turning her head, she quickly glanced at Zhao Yi, who was seated a few rows back, absorbed in his book. Relieved that he didn’t appear to have overheard, she finally relaxed.

He’s so vengeful—it’s best he didn’t overhear anything.

“Miss Chu, you’re overthinking this. Right now, I just want to focus on my studies. I have no interest in anyone.” A man like Zhao Yi was far too dangerous for her to handle. All she wanted was to maintain a good relationship, be his friend at most—anything more was unthinkable.

“Tch~” Chu Qiao clearly didn’t believe her. Everyone at school knew Cheng Xiaobei had been chasing after Zhao Dashao for a whole year. Her ambition for a life of luxury was obvious—there was no way she’d give up so easily.

As class began, Tian Tian paid full attention, setting aside all distractions. Life didn’t have a reset button, and having the chance to study again was an opportunity she intended to seize wholeheartedly.

Mastering multiple skills never hurt anyone.

---

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. That morning, Tian Tian walked into the classroom, carrying a stack of books. She spotted a classmate lingering suspiciously near Zhao Yi’s desk. It didn’t take much imagination to figure out they were up to no good again.

When the classmate noticed Tian Tian watching, they quickly smiled and walked away.

Frowning, Tian Tian was about to call them out when Zhao Yi entered the classroom calmly, walking right past her toward his desk.

Tian Tian immediately stopped him. “Wait a moment.”

Zhao Yi turned to look at her, his eyes questioning.

“Check your desk,” Tian Tian said bluntly.

Zhao Yi gave an indifferent “oh,” then walked to his desk. As he inspected it, he pulled out a harmless but still very much alive cauliflower snake.

Holding the snake firmly by its neck, Zhao Yi calmly walked out of the classroom. Tian Tian and several other girls gasped, their faces pale.

Using a snake to scare someone? That was taking it too far.

Zhao Yi remained unfazed, taking the snake to the flowerbed outside to release it.

---

During the break, Tian Tian went to the restroom. On her way back, a group of boys blocked her path.

They were all classmates, and Tian Tian frowned. “What do you want?”

These boys were part of Zhao Dashao’s gang and frequently bullied Zhao Yi. Seeing Tian Tian “tattle” on them earlier had left them fuming.

“Cheng Xiaobei, weren’t you trying to win over Zhao Dashao? Now that he’s not interested in you, are you trying to cozy up to that bastard Zhao Yi instead?”

“Ha, what a shameless social climber. What’s so great about Zhao Yi? You didn’t notice that none of the girls in school even dare to talk to him?”

Even though Zhao Yi was a private child, his stunning looks made him the most handsome boy in school. Naturally, some girls admired him, but Zhao Dashao had made it clear that no one was allowed to like Zhao Yi. In the past, a few girls confessed to Zhao Yi but were soon scared off by Zhao Dashao’s threats and bribes.

Tian Tian’s tone grew impatient. “What are you trying to say?”

“We’re saying, stop meddling in Zhao Yi’s business. If we catch you ratting us out again, don’t blame us for what happens next.”

With that warning, they laughed and swaggered back to the classroom.

Furious, Tian Tian clenched her fists. Their behavior was outrageous.

As Zhao Yi exited the restroom, his gaze landed on Tian Tian’s angry expression. “Thanks for helping earlier. But in the future, don’t interfere in my matters.”

Zhao Yi had no fondness for Cheng Xiaobei but also didn’t want her to suffer on his behalf. Lately, it seemed like she genuinely regretted her past behavior.

Still fuming, Tian Tian blurted, “They’ve gone too far. Why don’t you report them to the principal?” The teachers turned a blind eye, but surely the principal wouldn’t? It was worth a try.

Zhao Yi’s tone was flat. “The Zhao Corporation is one of the school’s board members.” In other words, the principal worked for Zhao’s family. If the heir of the Zhao family bullied him, the chairman would ignore it, and the principal definitely wouldn’t intervene—unless he wanted to lose his job.

Tian Tian sighed. “So, are you just going to put up with this forever?”

Zhao Yi chuckled, but there was no warmth in his smile.

The coldness in his laugh made Tian Tian shiver.

“Go back. From now on, pretend you don’t see me,” Zhao Yi said, genuinely trying to warn her.

Tian Tian couldn’t hold back. “I know you’re saying this for my sake, but I won’t just turn a blind eye. I’m not afraid of their threats.” Suddenly remembering something, she asked, “By the way, why did you throw away the milk I gave you earlier?”

Zhao Yi hadn’t expected her to bring that up. Still, he didn’t bother hiding the truth—after all, he hadn’t tried to conceal it when he tossed it. “Do you think I’d dare drink milk you gave me?”

Tian Tian felt a pang of guilt. The original owner had caused Zhao Yi plenty of trouble in the past. “But there really wasn’t anything wrong with that milk.”

Zhao Yi nodded slightly. “Alright. That was my mistake. I apologize.”

Tian Tian, seeing his apology, couldn’t resist pushing further. “Do you actually think it was your fault?”

Zhao Yi nodded. “Naturally.”

“In that case, can you help me with something?” Tian Tian asked, seizing the opportunity.

Zhao Yi was taken aback. Out of everyone, only Cheng Xiaobei seemed interested in interacting with him—and now she was asking for help. He was curious but also suspicious.

“What is it?”

“My English is terrible. Could you spare an hour after school to tutor me?” Zhao Yi might be a “pitiful bullied kid,” but his academic performance was undeniable—always in the top three in the school rankings.

Of course, Tian Tian had ulterior motives. Spending more time together would help them grow closer and give her a chance to influence him.

Zhao Yi stared at her, dumbfounded. Of all things, this request caught him completely off guard.

His thoughts wandered to the school rumors—had Cheng Xiaobei given up on Zhao Dashao and decided to target him instead? Was she trying to use him as a stepping stone for her dream of marrying into wealth?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Why else would her attitude toward him suddenly shift? She used to be the first to bully him, and now she was running to his defense.

His gaze swept over her. Cheng Xiaobei was about 5’7″, with porcelain-white skin and delicate, striking features. From this close, he could even see the fine downy hairs on her face. Her lips, soft and pink, glistened with what he assumed was lip balm. Her ponytail and oversized uniform somehow added to her appeal.

Zhao Zhicheng must be blind, he thought. This “opportunist” chased after him for a whole year, yet he remained indifferent, cycling through a dozen girls who couldn’t hold a candle to her.

Tian Tian noticed Zhao Yi staring and felt both confused and embarrassed. “Um… so, will you help me with tutoring?”

Zhao Yi paused before responding, “I may share the surname Zhao, but I’m just a bastard child. Maybe I’ll get some inheritance one day, but my father doesn’t care about me. Whatever I get won’t amount to much. Think it over carefully.”

Tian Tian blinked, completely puzzled. What was he even talking about? It felt like they were on entirely different wavelengths.

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